According to a recent print edition of Tuttosport (transcripted by Sport Witness), Everton are planning to make a €60m offer to bring Torino striker Andrea Belotti to the Premier League this summer. The same source has also revealed that the Toffees are currently leading the chase to secure the Italian striker’s services at the end of this campaign.
Belotti’s Prolific Form In The Serie A This Season
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic campaign at Turin after putting in several goal-scoring displays for Moreno Longo’s team so far. He has found the back of the net on 15 occasions while providing three assists in 31 matches for the Italian outfit this term on all fronts. It is evident from his record that Belotti has managed to discover a level of consistency with his performances on the field.
The Calcinate-born marksman has averaged 2.7 shots, 1.1 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per game in the Italian top-flight this season (stats via whoscored) which goes to highlight his growing influence at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino. Maybe, a change of scenery this summer could help him to take his game to the next level.
Belotti has also represented the Italian national side in 27 matches thus far and has got nine senior goals to show for his efforts. He stands a good chance of being selected for his country in the next edition of the UEFA European Championship which has been rescheduled to kick off at the end of next season because of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
What Will The Italian Forward Add To Ancelotti’s Team?
Belotti has decent pace under his belt which allows him to complete a few dangerous dribbles with the ball inside the opposition penalty box. He can position himself well in the final third and is an unforgiving finisher in front of goal. The Italy international packs a lot of power with his shot attempts and can also win his fair share of aerial duels, often using his strength to overpower the opposition. However, he needs to improve his link-up play after completing only 68.1% of his attempted passes in league football this season (stats via whoscored).
A striker of Belotti’s prolific nature will not only add a lot of goals to Carlo Ancelotti’s frontline but also increase competition for places within his squad at Goodison Park. The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison can benefit from some healthy competition at Merseyside next season, which makes the Italian a worthy target for the Toffees to consider in the off-season.
Ancelotti will also get the freedom to deploy different formations and rotate his first-team more often in the Premier League if he can recruit a quality forward like Belotti this summer. However, the jury is still out on whether the Torino attacker will be able to maintain his consistent goal-scoring record in English football where his physicality could be neutralised. All in all, Belotti would be a shrewd acquisition for Everton if they can convince the striker to seal a move to the blue half of Merseyside before the start of the new campaign.
